Valenzuela clinic’s license revoked for ‘tampering’ COVID records
THE Department of Health (DOH) has decided to revoke the license of a medical clinic and diagnostic center which was earlier shut down by the Valenzuela City government after it was allegedly found “tampering of COVID-19 records or providing misinformation.”
Also, the DOH, in a separate decision through its Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB), ordered the Puerto Galera Molecular Laboratory in Oriental Mindoro, whose operator/manager is Dr. Jovith Royales, the chief executive officer of Best Care Medical Clinic & Diagnostic Center Inc. in Bgy. Karuhatan, Valenzuela, to replace its management and personnel that were connected with the latter or it would be compelled to similarly revoke its license to operate.
In its recent decision, the DOH-National Capital Region Office (DOH-NCRO) found the complaint of Dr. Alma Radovan-Onia, Marilao Medical and Diagnostic Clinic Inc. (MMDCI) medical director, with merit against Best Care and Royales, whom it found to ‘have tampered COVID-19 records or intentionally provided misinformation.’
In her complaint, Radovan-Onia alleged that Royales and his personnel had been releasing COVID-19 results to his clients, misrepresenting that those tests were conducted at MMDCI.
A check with the agency’s COVID Surveillance and Quick Action Unit, the HFSRB found out that Best Care was not an accredited COVID-19 testing laboratory as only a licensed laboratory could report results via COVID-19 Document Respiratory System (CDRS).
“Dr. Jovith Royales, manager and CEO of Best Care Medical Clinic & Diagnostic Center Inc., and its key personnel are found in violation of the provision of the implementing rules and regulations of R.A 11332, otherwise known as the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease and Health Events of Public Health Concerns Act, for failure to report such COVID-19 test results to the CDRS,” DOH-NCRO Director IV Gloria Balboa said.
The alleged RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) results were released under their corporate name (Best Care) although they have no license as a COVID-19 laboratory which constitute violation of its provision, or specifically tampering of records or intentionally providing misinformation, she explained.
The success in the battle against COVID-19 lies in the accuracy and proper reporting, hence, the action of Royales defeats the objectives of RA 11332 and its implementing rules and regulations, the DOH said.
